Chapter 794 - 123 - Zeruel’s Decision (6)
"For starters, how about you begin, Zeruel?" Princess Titania teased, her playful smile dancing at the corners of her lips. She held out the wine glass to me, the crystal catching the warm light and sparkling like a jewel.
"U-Um, okay..." I stammered, my voice coming out shaky, my palms already starting to sweat just from the attention.
I reached out, my fingers brushing hers for a second—a spark of contact that somehow made my chest flutter—and gently took the glass. My heart thudded faster as I raised it closer, feeling the cool smoothness of the glass against my skin.
As it neared my face, the rich scent of grapes rolled over me, thick and heady, mixed with something almost sharp that prickled at my nose. The aroma felt so strong it was almost dizzying, and for a second, it stung enough that I had to blink my eyes.
Was this what alcohol really smelled like?
I’d never had even a single sip of it in my life, and right now, the whole experience felt weirdly big and overwhelming—like it wasn’t just about drinking, but stepping into something completely new.
I risked a glance at the others. Princess Titania and Miss Trill were watching me closely, eyes sparkling like they were holding in laughter but also curious to see what I’d do. The other two looked like they were already a bit flushed, caught up in their own quiet enjoyment.
I took a small breath, gathering every scrap of courage, and pressed the rim of the glass to my lips. Then, with my pulse hammering, I tipped it slightly and let the liquid slip into my mouth.
The moment it hit my tongue, my eyes flew wide open.
An explosion of flavor burst across my taste buds. It was sweet, but not cloyingly so, balanced with a faint bitterness and a soft acidity that made the taste feel layered. There was a warmth too, a heat that trailed down my throat with every swallow, spreading like tiny sparks through my chest. It felt strange... but in a good way. Smooth and a little fiery, leaving a faint burn that made me shiver, but paired so perfectly with the sweetness that I found myself liking it almost instantly.